J - re insurance, if you are doing a refurb, the insurers will generally only insure for FLEA - fire, landslip, earthquake and i cant remember the A. Re empty periods, you have to check your individual policy on lengths of time.
I was given a helpful hint by a long-standing managing agent - if you advertise privately, don't tell anyone over the phone the address of the property you are advertising, until you have got a lot of info from them first , - until you have sussed them out, and if you don't like the sound of them, get an address from them to send them an application form. If they are genuine, they will probably give it, if not, they will probably hang up. Apparently real "scammers" get your address and then go and pinch your fixtures !!"
Clottie the Positive. windswept and interesting !!
"The Lancashire Lady"
Clottie The Positive “Windswept and interesting”
The Somerset-Lancashire lady
Aviatrix extraordinaire !